Beltran gets break from starting lineup vs. A's

OAKLAND -- Carlos Beltran has been searching for his timing since being activated from the disabled list, with just four hits in 31 at-bats (.129), and he was held out of the Yankees' lineup on Saturday.

"I don't feel good right now, man," Beltran said. "It feels like some days I feel better, then the next day, back to not feeling good. It has to come. I just need to stick with the plan and continue to go to the cage and work on the things I have always worked. It's got to come."

Beltran went hitless in five at-bats on Friday. He missed 21 games with a bone spur in his right elbow, returning to action on June 5.

"He's fighting through it," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "He's had some productive hits for us. You look at the ball he hits [in the eighth inning] last night -- if it's a day game, it's probably a home run here.

"But we talked about it. It could take some time to get his timing going. And he's played every day since he's been back, so I figured just give him a day, and I think he'll continue to get better."

Beltran said that he still has to work on occasional tightness in his elbow, but there is no pain, and the brace that he is wearing has not bothered him.

"Every day is getting better. I still have to come here, get treatment and try to make everything loose and continue," Beltran said.

Beltran said that he would use Saturday for some extra batting practice. He also continued throwing, making 25 tosses at 60 feet and 25 more at 90 feet.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @bryanhoch and read his MLBlog, Bombers Beat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.